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THE REVIEW
The new Nick Drake comes from Northern Europe.
With his latest album, "Veneer," Gonzalez remains somber and true to the deep strings of his acoustic guitar. With underlying bitterness that characterizes his compositional style, it leaves us more submerged compared to the previous work.
Upon listening, the album seems split like an old LP. In fact, after the fifth song, it feels like we are hearing motifs present in the first two tracks. Perhaps just impressions, perhaps a choice. The fact remains that it does not have a fixed flow as an album. Unsurprisingly, a spectrogram, reminiscent of "Unknown Pleasures" horizontally on brown paper, dominates the cover like an analysis of the record. The transcription without periods, within the booklet, of the lyrics is noteworthy. Brief and concise, they are often single phrases repeated like an ancient chant. It will accompany you for half an hour, but even if it initially seems unlistenable and challenging on a first listen, give it a second chance.
You won't regret it.
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Summary by Bot
José González's Veneer is a somber acoustic album marked by deep guitar strings and a bitter compositional style. The album feels divided, with repeated motifs across tracks. Its concise, chant-like lyrics and demanding sonic texture may challenge the listener at first but reward those who give it a second chance.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
José González
José González is a Swedish singer-songwriter and guitarist from Gothenburg, born to Argentine parents. Known for intimate nylon-string fingerpicking and hushed vocals, he broke through with his cover of The Knife’s “Heartbeats” (featured in a Sony Bravia advert). His acclaimed albums include Veneer, In Our Nature, Vestiges & Claws, and Local Valley; he also co-founded the band Junip.04 Reviews
Other reviews
By JohnOfPatmos
Sometimes there is music that slips over you like rain, drumming in your head, leaving you with a sense of mystery, a sort of resigned anger, an inconsolable sense of desolation.
An extraordinary debut for the not-yet-thirty-year-old singer from Gothenburg, a Swede with roots that delve into the heart of Argentina.
By laurafiesolana
Never have I listened to an album as flawless and perfect as this 'Veneer'.
This troubled yet bright gift from the gods... an extremely charming and beneficial catharsis of Apollonian and Dionysian mixed in a measured balance.
